System and Method for Powering Accessories in a Hybrid Vehicle

ABSTRACT

A heavy-duty hybrid vehicle power system includes a main power unit located in an engine compartment; an electric propulsion motor; a DC bus that receives DC power from the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power; an electric accessory motor, which is electrically coupled with the DC bus and mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the heavy-duty vehicle either inside or outside of the engine compartment; and at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel coupled with the DC bus and configured to store power when the main power unit is on and supply power in place of the main power unit when the main power unit is off.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/250,865, filed Oct. 14, 2005, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/160,877, filed May 31, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,119,454 issued Oct. 10, 2006, which are all hereby incorporated by in their entirety by reference.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The field of the present invention is generally motor vehicles, and in particular systems within motor vehicles that power vehicle accessories.

BACKGROUND

In conventional vehicles, i.e., vehicles that are neither hybrid vehicles nor electric vehicles, accessories such as hydraulic pumps, water pumps, vacuum pumps, and compressors for air brakes or air conditioning systems are powered directly from the internal combustion engine. The power required by these accessories may be steady over extended periods of time, as in the case of a water pump that is used to help cool the engine, or it may be required in short bursts when needed by the accessory, as in the case of hydraulic accessories or air brakes. Because such accessories have relatively high power requirements, the most economical and efficient source of power for these accessories is the internal combustion engine.

In hybrid vehicles that include an internal combustion engine, either in series or in parallel with the electric motor, these same accessories are often powered from the internal combustion engine in much the same way as in a conventional vehicle. Alternatively, in some hybrid vehicles and in most electric vehicles, the traditional accessories are replaced with a wholly electric version of the accessory to perform the same function, such as an electric air conditioning system or an electrically powered compressed air brake system.

In implementing either of the above solutions to power vehicle accessories, however, inefficiencies are introduced into a vehicle. These inefficiencies may affect the cost of the vehicle, the performance of the vehicle, or both. For example, if a hybrid or electric vehicle includes electric versions of one or more accessories, the inefficiency introduced in the hybrid vehicle is in the overall cost of the vehicle. The increased cost arises because the electric version of an accessory must initially be developed and tested. Additionally, the cost of the electric version of the accessory will typically remain high over a period of one to several years because vehicles which use the electric version of the accessory do not have the high production quantities of conventional vehicles.

Conversely, if a hybrid vehicle implements a vehicle accessory in the traditional manner, i.e., powered directly from an internal combustion engine, the vehicle will experience inefficiencies in fuel economy. The inefficiencies arise when the internal combustion engine provides power directly to the accessories and the electric motor and/or the batteries do not require power. During these periods, the engine necessarily consumes fuel to provide the power required by the accessories. Any excess power generated by the engine, however, is lost because it cannot be otherwise used or stored by the vehicle.

Series and parallel hybrid-hydraulic drive systems for heavy-duty vehicles have been developed by Eaton Corporation, Dana Corporation, Permo Drive, and others, but none of these developments have included separate hydraulically driven accessories.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, as aspect of the present invention involves a vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft. The vehicle power system includes a main power unit configured to supply a DC power to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle and located in the engine compartment; an electric propulsion motor to propel the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle using the drive shaft; a DC bus electrically coupled with the main power unit, the DC bus configured to receive the DC power from the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power, the vehicle accessory including at least one of a compressor and a pump; an electric accessory motor, which is separate from the electric propulsion motor, electrically coupled with the DC bus and mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the electric accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the heavy-duty vehicle either inside or outside of the engine compartment; and at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel coupled with the DC bus, the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel configured to store power when the main power unit is on and supply power in place of the main power unit when the main power unit is off.

The one or more vehicle accessories may be located either inside or outside the engine compartment. When located inside the engine compartment the accessories may be separated from the hot areas of the engine compartment by one or more heat shields located between the heat source and the accessory.

Another aspect of the invention involves a vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft. The vehicle power system includes a main power unit configured to supply a DC power of more than 42 volts to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle and located in the engine compartment; an electric propulsion motor to propel the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle using the drive shaft; a DC bus electrically coupled with the main power unit, the DC bus configured to receive the DC power from the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power, the vehicle accessory including at least one of a compressor and a pump; an electric accessory motor, which is separate from the electric propulsion motor, electrically coupled with the DC bus and mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the electric accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the vehicle either inside or outside of the engine compartment; a vibration dampening structure that the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory are mounted to, the vibration dampening structure configured to be mounted to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle; and at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel coupled with the DC bus, the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel configured to store power when the main power unit is on and supply power in place of the main power unit when the main power unit is off.

A further aspect of the invention involves a vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft. The vehicle power system includes a primary pump configured to pump high-pressure oil; a main power unit configured to power the primary pump and located in the engine compartment; a hydraulic motor driven by the primary pump to propel the heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic vehicle using the drive shaft either separately or in combination with the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power; a hydraulic accessory motor, which is separate from the hydraulic motor, mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the hydraulic accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the hydraulic accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic either inside or outside of the engine compartment; and an accumulator configured to receive and store high-pressure oil when the main power unit is on and supply high-pressure oil to the hydraulic accessory motor to drive the hydraulic accessory motor when the main power unit is off.

The types of vehicle accessories that may be driven using the system of the present invention include; but not by way of limitation; compressors, such as brake air compressors, charge air compressors, or air conditioning compressors, hydraulic pumps, such as those used for power steering or other heavy-duty hydraulic equipment; other pumps, such as water pumps, oil pumps, fuel pumps, and vacuum pumps; and cooling fans, such as radiator fans and air conditioning blowers. Each of these types of vehicle accessories has operational power requirements that exceed 1 kilowatt, and each may be of the same type used in conventional vehicles that are powered by internal combustion engines.

Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the invention, will become apparent from the following Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments, when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Preferred embodiments of the present inventions taught herein are illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIGS. 1 a-1 c schematically illustrate systems of driving vehicle accessories according to the prior art;

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a system of driving vehicle accessories in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3 a and 3 b illustrate a mounting structure for two vehicle accessories, a scroll air compressor and a hydraulic pump, driven by a single accessory motor;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a system of driving vehicle accessories in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a mounting structure for two vehicle accessories, a scroll air compressor and a hydraulic pump, driven by separate accessory motors;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a gear assembly used to couple a vehicle accessory to an accessory motor; and

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates a system of driving vehicle accessories in a refuse collection truck in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 schematically illustrates a system of driving heavy-duty hydraulic driven vehicle accessories in accordance with a series hybrid-hydraulic drive system as a further embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 schematically illustrates a system of driving heavy-duty hydraulic driven vehicle accessories in accordance with a parallel hybrid-hydraulic drive system as a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Turning in detail to the drawings, FIGS. 1 a-c illustrate systems of driving vehicle accessories as practiced in the prior art. FIG. 1 a schematically illustrates a conventional vehicle 9 (e.g., a passenger car, a light truck, a heavy-duty vehicle such as a refuse collection ‘truck or transit bus, or other type of vehicle) having an internal combustion engine 10. The internal combustion engine has two output shafts 12, 14. The first output shaft 12 is coupled to an input shaft 41 of a transmission 40 that may be used to propel the vehicle using a drive shaft 42. Alternatively, the power provided to the transmission 40 may be directed into a transfer case 45 and used to drive a power take-off shaft 46. The power take-off shaft 46 may be used, for example, to drive an additional axle in a four-wheel drive vehicle or to drive a hydraulic pump used in conjunction with heavy-duty equipment such as the lift mechanism in a dump truck or a compactor in a refuse collection truck.

The second output shaft 14 of the internal combustion engine drives accessories 20, 30 using a belt drive assembly. The belt drive assembly comprises a first pulley 15, affixed to the output shaft 14 of the internal combustion engine, a belt 16 that connects the first pulley 15 to two receiving pulleys 22, 32 that are in turn affixed to input shafts 21, 31 of accessories 20, 30, respectively. Additional receiving pulleys and accessories may also be included. The accessories 20, 30 in a conventional vehicle often include, for example, a compressor for an air conditioner or air brakes, a water pump, an alternator to recharge the starting battery and provide accessory power, or a hydraulic pump for power steering.

FIG. 1 b schematically illustrates a hybrid vehicle 50 having a parallel drive system as practiced in the prior art. The parallel hybrid vehicle 50 includes an internal combustion engine 10 to drive the accessories 20, 30 in the same manner as the conventional vehicle 9 of FIG. 1 a. The output shaft 12 of the internal combustion engine 10 is coupled to an input shaft 52 of a mechanical coupling 54. The mechanical coupling 54 is also coupled to an electric motor 53 with an integrated generator. The electric motor may power the drive shaft 51 using power provided by a battery 60 through an inverter 62 or, alternatively, the internal combustion engine 10 may power the drive shaft 51 through the mechanical coupling 54. When the internal combustion engine 10 powers the drive shaft 51, the generator integrated into the electric motor 50 may be used to store power in the battery 60.

FIG. 1 c schematically illustrates a hybrid vehicle 69 having a series drive system as practiced in the prior art. The series hybrid vehicle 69 includes an internal combustion engine 10 to drive the accessories 20, 30 in the same manner as the conventional vehicle 9 of FIG. 1 a. The output shaft 12 of the internal combustion engine 10 is coupled to an input shaft 71 of a generator 70. When driven by the internal combustion engine 10, the generator 70 provides electrical power to a battery 60 and an inverter 62. The battery may provide electrical power to the inverter 62 when the generator 70 is not operating. The inverter 62 is electrically coupled to an electric motor 80 that propels the vehicle 69 via a drive shaft 81.

FIG. 2 schematically illustrates an embodiment of a system 100 of a heavy-duty vehicle configured to power vehicle accessories 142, 144, in accordance with the systems and methods disclosed herein. As used herein, a heavy-duty vehicle is a vehicle having a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of at least 10,000 lbs. Examples of heavy-duty vehicles that the systems 100, 200, 300, 400 described herein may be used with include, but not by way of limitation, a tractor, a tow tractor, a tug, a pull tractor, a push-back tractor, a truck (e.g., class 6, class 7, class 8, etc.), a dump truck, a delivery truck, a semi truck, a bobtail truck, a school bus, a transit bus, a pick-up truck, a shuttle van, a refuse-collection vehicle, a recycling-collection vehicle, and a tram vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the systems 100, 200, 300, 400 are used with vehicles other than heavy-duty vehicles, and, thus, is not limited to heavy-duty vehicles. In alternative embodiments, system 100 is incorporated into a series hybrid vehicle and/or a parallel hybrid vehicle, but in further embodiments, system 100 is incorporated into other types of vehicles. The system 100 has a main power unit 102 with at least one power generating source that provides more than 42 volts of power to a high voltage DC power bus 112. The power generating source can comprise an internal combustion engine 104 coupled to a generator 108 through a drive shaft 106, a fuel cell 110, a micro-turbine (not shown) or any other appropriate power source.

In one or more embodiments, one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, and/or one or more flywheels F (hereinafter “power source”) 114 are electrically coupled to the DC power bus 112 to store power generated by the main power unit 102. The power source 114 (e.g., one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, one or more flywheels F) also stores power from dynamic electro magnetic braking regeneration. A first inverter 116 is electrically coupled to the DC power bus 112 to provide AC power to the electric motor 118 that propels the hybrid vehicle using a drive shaft 120. Preferably a DC to DC converter 122 is included in system 100 to step the high voltage of the DC power bus 112 down to an appropriate level required by low voltage accessories that may be included in the hybrid vehicle. For example DC to DC converter 122 can be configured to provide 12, 24, or 42 volts to various low voltage accessories. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes one or more electric cooling fans for the engine radiator which were traditionally belt driven from the engine crankshaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump and thence to a hydraulic fan motor. In this embodiment the DC power bus 112 is coupled to the DC to DC converter 122 for powering the one or more cooling fans.

A second inverter 124 is coupled to the DC power bus 112 to provide AC power to an electric accessory motor 126. The output shaft 128 of the electric accessory motor 126 drives the vehicle accessories 142, 144 using a belt drive assembly 148. The electric accessory motor 126 provides a total power output that exceeds the operational power requirements of any vehicle accessories 142, 144, and preferably the electric accessory motor 126 is capable of providing a total power output that exceeds the combined maximum power ratings of the vehicle accessories 142, 144. The belt drive assembly 148 comprises a first pulley 130, affixed to the output shaft 128 of the electric accessory motor 126, a belt 132 that connects the first pulley 130 to two receiving pulleys 134, 136, each receiving pulley 134, 136 being affixed to an input shaft 138, 140 of one of the accessories 142, 144. Additional receiving pulleys and accessories may also be included. The electrical rating of accessory motor 126 is preferably based upon the operational power requirements of the accessories affixed to the belt drive assembly 148.

Examples of vehicle accessories that may be advantageously powered by the electric accessory motor 126 include, but not by way of limitation, air compressors, air conditioning compressors, oil pumps, fuel pumps, charge air compressors, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, vacuum pumps, or other accessories that have operational power requirements in excess of 1 kilowatt. In the case of an air compressor, a piston-type air compressor can be used, a screw type air compressor can be used, or more preferably, a scroll-type air compressor can be used. Such accessories are traditionally powered directly from the internal combustion engine in a conventional vehicle because of their relatively high power requirements.

An advantage to using electric accessory motor 126 is that the internal combustion engine 104 can be shut down when the vehicle and its accessories 142 and 144 are adequately powered by the power source 114 (e.g., one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, one or more flywheels F). Thus, with the high power accessories 142 and 144 being driven by the accessory motor 126, the internal combustion engine 104 may be operated less frequently than if the accessories 142 and 144 are driven directly from the internal combustion engine 104 which results in greater fuel efficiency. Greater fuel efficiency can also result from only using the accessory when required by switching off the electric accessory motor when the accessory is not required. Additionally, because each of these high power accessories 142 and 144 may be of the same shaft driven type typically used in conventional vehicles, significant savings may be realized in the overall cost of the vehicle. These cost savings arise through economies of scale that are already in place for the shaft driven version of the high power accessories 142 and 144, as compared to the development and manufacturing infrastructure that exists for entirely electronic versions of these same accessories.

An additional advantage of driving the high power accessories 142 and 144 with a separate accessory motor 126 is that the accessories 142 and 144 can be affixed to any location on the vehicle. The aforementioned high power accessories are often mounted within the engine compartment in a conventional vehicle. Thus, not only do the accessories 142 and 144 share the same compartmental space with the engine, but they also share the same dirt, dust, high temperature, and vibrations present within the engine compartment, most of which is created by the internal combustion engine. By powering the vehicle accessories 142 and 144 with a separate accessory motor 126, the vehicle accessories 142 and 144 can be mounted anywhere on or in the vehicle, thus making the accessories 142 and 144 more accessible and removing them from an environment that contributes to wear and tear.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 100, where the system 100 is incorporated into a parallel hybrid vehicle, the electric propulsion motor 118 is part of a parallel hybrid-electric transmission wherein the electric propulsion motor 118 assists the mechanical transmission to propel the vehicle using the drive shaft 120.

FIG. 3 a illustrates an accessory motor 150 coupled to a scroll-type air compressor 152 and a hydraulic pump 154, all of which are affixed to a vibration dampening mounting structure 156. The shaft (not shown) of the accessory motor 150 is accessible from two opposite sides of the accessory motor. On one side, the accessory motor 150 is mechanically coupled to the air compressor 152 using a clutch 158, which can be of any appropriate type, pulley 160, and belt mechanism 161. With this type of coupling, the air compressor 152 may be driven at any time simply by engaging the clutch 158. On the opposite side, the mechanical coupling between the accessory motor 150 and the hydraulic pump 154 is a direct shaft connection. Thus, when the accessory motor 150 is operative, operational power is provided to the hydraulic pump 154. The type of mechanical coupling is chosen to best serve the needs of the vehicle with which the accessories are used. Therefore, many alternative types of mechanical couplings can be employed.

The vibration dampening mounting structure 156 of FIG. 3 a comprises a plate 162 and mounting bolts 164 to affix the plate to the vehicle in the manner shown in FIG. 3 b. The mounting bolts 164 are vibrationally isolated from the mounting plate 162 by interposing a vibration dampening material 166, such as rubber, between the mounting bolts 164 and the mounting plate 162. Additionally, each bolt 164 extends through a hole 168 in the mounting plate 162, without having physical contact with the mounting plate 162, and is affixed to supporting structure 170 of the vehicle. Thus, vibrations that would otherwise travel between the vehicle and the accessories are largely absorbed by the vibration dampening material 166. Other vibration isolation and dampening techniques can also be employed. However, robust components may be used that would eliminate the requirement for vibration and shock isolation. Even without a vibration dampening mounting structure, a single plate mounting structure would have the choice of mounting locations and connections advantages listed below.

An advantage of having the accessory motor 150 and the accessories 152 and 154 affixed to the vibration dampening mounting structure 156 is that the vibration dampening mounting structure 156 can be affixed to the vehicle either within the engine compartment or external to the engine compartment. Additionally, the vibration dampening mounting structure 156 may be mounted at any desired orientation relative to the vehicle because no overly restrictive mechanical connections (i.e., a drive shaft connection) are required. Regardless of where and how the vibration dampening mounting structure 156 is mounted, the electrical coupling between the electric accessory motor 150 and the DC power bus, e.g., bus 112, is easily accomplished using insulated wires. Other connections required by certain accessories, such as a compressed air or pressurized fluid line, are also easily made regardless of where on the vehicle the accessories are affixed.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates an alternative embodiment of a system 200 configured to power vehicle accessories 210, 230, and 250 of a heavy-duty vehicle. In alternative embodiments, the system 200 is used with vehicles other than heavy-duty vehicles, and, thus, is not limited to heavy-duty vehicles.

Preferably, system 200 is incorporated into a series hybrid vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, system 200 is incorporated into a parallel hybrid vehicle. System 200 includes a main power unit 102 that powers a high voltage DC power bus 112. In this example, however, each vehicle accessory 210, 230, and 250 is driven by a separate accessory motor 212, 232, and, 252, respectively. Each motor 212, 232, and 252 draws power from the DC power bus 112. For the first accessory 210, the AC motor 212 is preferably integrated with an inverter 214 and electrically coupled, through the inverter 214, to the DC power bus 112. The AC motor 212 also preferably includes an output shaft 216 that is connected to an input shaft 220 of the accessory 210 through a mechanical coupler 218. The mechanical coupler 218 can comprise a pulley and belt mechanism, a shaft-to-shaft coupler, a clutch, or any other type of appropriate mechanical coupler. The mechanical coupler 218 and the AC motor 212 for the first accessory 210 are also preferably chosen to suit the power and usage requirements of the first accessory 210.

In the example illustrated in FIG. 4, the second accessory 230 is driven in the same manner as the first accessory 210. An AC motor 232 with an integrated inverter 234 is electrically coupled to the DC power bus 112. The output shaft 236 of the AC motor 232 drives an input shaft 240 of the second accessory 230 through a mechanical coupler 238. The mechanical coupler 238 and the AC motor 232 for the second accessory 230 are chosen to suit the power and usage requirements of the second accessory 230. Thus, the AC motor 232 driving the second accessory 230 may have a different power rating than the AC motor 212 driving the first accessory 210.

The third accessory shown in FIG. 4 is a hydraulic pump 250 for heavy-duty hydraulic equipment, for example, such as a refuse compactor or a lift mechanism. An inverter is preferably electrically coupled to the DC power bus 112 and to an AC motor 252 to provide power to the AC motor 252. The output shaft 256 of the AC motor 252 preferably drives the input shaft 260 of the hydraulic pump 250 through a mechanical coupler 258. The mechanical coupler 258 and the AC motor 252 for the hydraulic pump 250 are preferably chosen to suit the power and usage requirements of the hydraulic pump 250. Additional AC motors may be coupled to the DC power bus to drive additional accessories as needed.

Examples of vehicle accessories that may be advantageously powered by the electric accessory motors 212, 232, and 252 include, but not by way of limitation, air compressors, air conditioning compressors, oil pumps, fuel pumps, charge air compressors, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, vacuum pumps, or other accessories that have operational power requirements in excess of 1 kilowatt. In the case of an air compressor, a piston-type air compressor can be used, a screw type air compressor can be used, or more preferably, a scroll-type air compressor can be used. Such accessories are traditionally powered directly from the internal combustion engine in a conventional vehicle because of their relatively high power requirements.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 200, where the system 200 is incorporated into a parallel hybrid vehicle, the electric propulsion motor 118 is part of a parallel hybrid-electric transmission wherein the electric propulsion motor 118 assists the mechanical transmission to propel the vehicle using the drive shaft 120.

FIG. 5 illustrates a multi-accessory motor implementation comprising first and second accessory motors 270 and 272 coupled to a scroll-type air compressor 274 and a hydraulic pump 276, respectively. Both motors 270 and 272, as well as compressor 274 and pump 276, are affixed to a vibration dampening mounting structure 278 or a hard mounting structure as determined by the robustness and cost of the components. The first accessory motor 270 is mechanically coupled to the air compressor 274 using a gear assembly 280. The gear assembly 280 is illustrated in FIG. 6. The gear assembly 280 comprises first and second gears 282, 284, a sleeve 286, and a counter-mass 288. Counter-mass 288 is specifically configured to be used with the sleeves 286 and gears 282, 284. Thus, counter-mass 288 preferably replaces a standard counter-mass that is normally used with a scroll air compressor. The first gear 282 is affixed to the output shaft of the accessory motor 270, and the second gear 284 is affixed to the input shaft of the scroll air compressor 274.

The sleeve 286 is preferably made out of a flexible material such as neoprene. A first side 286a of the sleeve 286 is preferably formed to mate with the teeth of the first gear 282 and the second side 286b of the sleeve 286 is preferably formed to mate with the teeth of the second gear 284. The teeth of each gear preferably have a depth of at least 3.0 mm, and even more preferably of at least 5.0 mm. The sleeve 286 is preferably manufactured to have a slightly smaller diameter than each gear 282, 284, requiring the material to be slightly stretched when coupled to the gears. As such, the sleeve 286 will fit snugly about the gears 282, 284 to provide a coupling that will not slip under most normal operating conditions. When assembled, a gap is preferably left within the sleeve 286 between the opposing ends of the first and second gears 282, 284. Thus, the flexibility of the sleeve 286 and the gear spacing within the sleeve 286 compensate for shaft misalignments that may occur during normal operation.

Returning to FIG. 5, the second accessory motor 272 is mechanically coupled to the hydraulic pump 276 using a direct shaft-to-shaft connector 290. The accessory motors 270, 272, the hydraulic pump 276, and the air compressor 274 are affixed to a frame 292. The frame 292 is affixed to the vehicle using vibration isolation techniques.

FIG. 7 schematically illustrates an embodiment of system 300 configured to supply power to accessories within a heavy-duty vehicle (e.g., refuse collection vehicle). In alternative embodiments, the system 300 is used with vehicles other than heavy-duty vehicles, and, thus, is not limited to heavy-duty vehicles.

Preferably, system 300 is incorporated into a series hybrid vehicle. In an alternative embodiment, system 300 is incorporated into a parallel hybrid vehicle.

The accessories comprise a scroll air compressor 326, a power steering pump 328, and a hydraulic pump 354. In this example, compressor 326 and pump 328 are both driven by electric accessory motor 324, while hydraulic pump 354 is driven by electric accessory motor 346. The vehicle comprises a compressed natural gas engine 302, such as those manufactured by John Deere of Moline, Ill., or Cummins Westport, having an output shaft 304 that is coupled to a generator 306. The generator 306 generates power on a high voltage DC power bus 308. In the example illustrated in FIG. 3, a power source 310 (e.g., one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, one or more flywheels F), a power converter 320, and a plurality of power inverters 312, 322, 344 are coupled to and receive power from the DC power bus 308. The power source 310 (e.g., one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, one or more flywheels F) also stores power from dynamic electro magnetic braking regeneration. The power converter 320 converts the high voltage DC power to low voltage DC power for use by low voltage accessories as explained with regard to converter 122. In an exemplary embodiment, the vehicle includes one or more electric cooling fans for the engine radiator, which were traditionally belt driven from the engine crankshaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump, and, thence, to a hydraulic motor to rotate the fan. In this embodiment the DC power bus 308 is coupled to the power converter 320 for powering the one or more cooling fans. Power inverter 312 converts the high voltage DC power to AC power for use by an electric motor 316 that propels the vehicle through a drive shaft 318.

Power inverter 322 converts the high voltage DC power to approximately 115 volt AC power. This second power inverter 322 powers a constant speed AC permanent magnet motor 324 and also provides 115 volt AC power to those vehicle accessories that require such. In this example, the AC motor 324 drives an output shaft 330 that is coupled to a pulley 332. A belt couples the pulley 332 to two receiving pulleys 336 and 338 that are coupled to the input shafts 340 and 342 of the scroll air compressor 326 and the power steering pump 328, respectively. The scroll air compressor 326 provides compressed air for the braking system of the vehicle and the power steering pump 328 provides pressurized hydraulic fluid for the power steering system.

Power inverter 344 converts the high voltage DC power for use by an AC electric motor 346. The output shaft 348 of the AC motor 346 is preferably coupled to an input shaft 352 of a hydraulic pump 354 through a mechanical coupler 350. The hydraulic pump 354 can be a heavy-duty pump that provides, for example, the necessary fluid pressurization to operate the lift arms and compactor of the refuse collection vehicle 300. The AC motor 346 and power inverter 344 are thus selected appropriately based upon the power requirements of the hydraulic pump 354.

Examples of vehicle accessories that may be advantageously powered by the electric accessory motors 324, 346 include, but not by way of limitation, air compressors, air conditioning compressors, oil pumps, fuel pumps, charge air compressors, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, vacuum pumps, or other accessories that have operational power requirements in excess of 1 kilowatt. In the case of an air compressor, a piston-type air compressor can be used, a screw type air compressor can be used, or more preferably, a scroll-type air compressor can be used. Such accessories are traditionally powered directly from the internal combustion engine in a conventional vehicle because of their relatively high power requirements.

The scroll air compressor 326, the power steering pump 328, and the associated AC motor 324 can be mounted to a common vibration dampening mounting structure (not shown) and can be advantageously affixed to any appropriate part of the vehicle. The hydraulic pump 354 and its associated AC motor 346 are preferably mounted on another vibration dampening mounting structure (not shown) and can also be advantageously affixed to any appropriate part of the vehicle. Factors that may be considered in determining where to affix the two vibration dampening mounting structures include, for example, isolation from undesirable environments, ease of access in the event repairs become necessary, and convenience based upon the function of each accessory, among others.

Thus, as mentioned, an advantage to the systems and methods disclosed herein is that the electric accessory motors can be powered from power source 114 (e.g., one or more batteries B, one or more ultracapacitor packs U, one or more flywheels F). If the main power unit 102 comprises an internal combustion engine, then inefficiencies in fuel economy can be reduced, because the internal combustion engine does not need to supply power to accessories 142 and 144 when they do not require power. Additionally, because the systems and methods described herein can be implemented with conventional vehicle accessories, cost inefficiencies in hybrid and electric vehicles may be overcome. Accordingly, the systems and methods described herein are not limited to any particular type of vehicle. Rather, the systems and methods described herein can be implemented in any type of vehicle.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 300, where the system 300 is incorporated into a parallel hybrid vehicle, the electric propulsion motor 316 is part of a parallel hybrid-electric transmission wherein the electric propulsion motor 316 assists the mechanical transmission to propel the vehicle using the drive shaft 318.

With reference to FIGS. 8 and 9, a system 400 of driving heavy-duty hydraulically driven vehicle accessories in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention will be described. The system 400 is a hydraulically driven accessory power system for the series hybrid-hydraulic heavy-duty vehicle drive system shown in FIG. 8 and the parallel hybrid-hydraulic heavy-duty vehicle drive system shown in FIG. 9. In alternative embodiments, the system 400 is used with vehicles other than heavy-duty vehicles, and, thus, is not limited to heavy-duty vehicles.

The system 400 includes one or more high-pressure hydraulic pumps/motors 410. As pumps, the one or more high-pressure hydraulic pumps/motors 410 use mechanical energy to deliver high-pressure oil. As motors, the one or more high-pressure hydraulic pumps/motors 410 accept high-pressure oil and deliver mechanical energy to drive the heavy-duty vehicle via drive shaft 120. One or more accumulators 430 function as energy storage devices for the high-pressure oil. An oil cooler (not shown), may include lubrication and cooling pumps, maintains the proper operating temperature of the oil in the system 400. In the parallel hybrid-hydraulic drive system of FIG. 9 a power drive coupler 450 combines torque from the engine 104/transmission 105 input and output shafts and the hydraulic pump/motor unit(s) 410. A controller 460 manages all the functions of the hydraulic pump/motor unit(s) 410 and the power drive coupler unit 450. The controller 460 controls the hydraulic pump/motor unit(s) 410, determines when to switch driving between the hydraulic pump/motor unit(s) 410 and engine 104, and monitors the function of the power drive coupler unit 450. In alternative embodiments, the controller 460 provides other/alternative control functions.

In operation the hydraulic pump/motor 410 transfers high pressure oil from one accumulator 430 to another depending on whether the vehicle is accelerating or decelerating or moving in forward or in reverse. In alternative embodiments one of the accumulators 430 is an oil reservoir 425. One or more hydraulic accessory motor(s) 465 are in communication with the high pressure accumulator(s) 430 through the high pressure line 480 for driving the hydraulic accessory motor(s) 465, which in, in turn, power one or more accessories 470. In FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 the two accumulator 410 lines are logically “OR”ed to indicate that high pressure oil is connected to the hydraulic accessory motor(s) 465. After the high pressure oil passes through the hydraulic accessory motor the now low pressure oil passes to an oil reservoir 425 that is used to replenish the oil required for the hydraulic pump/motor 410.

One or more of the above-described components may be mounted on one or more vibration dampening mounting structures.

In series hydraulic hybrid use, engine 104 (e.g., diesel engine, CNG engine, internal combustion engine) powers the hydraulic pump/motor drive unit 410. These motor(s) 410 drive the output shaft 120 at all speeds. In parallel hydraulic hybrid use the motor(s) 410 drive the output shaft at low speeds and at higher speeds, the power drive coupler unit 450 switches to direct mechanical drive powered by the engine 104, bypassing the hydraulic unit(s) 410.

The power drive coupler unit 450 recovers braking energy with the motors 410 becoming pumps that pump high-pressure oil into the accumulator(s) 430.

The stored energy in the accumulator(s) 430 is used for driving the motor(s) 410 and for driving the hydraulic accessory motor(s) 465. The hydraulic accessory /motor(s) 465, in turn, powers one or more accessories 470 via belt drive assembly 148. The controller 460 also has the engine 104 drive the hydraulic pump 410 as necessary to maintain high pressure oil in the accumulator 430 to power the hydraulic accessory motor 465.

Examples of vehicle accessories that may be advantageously powered by the hydraulic accessory motor(s) 465 include, but not by way of limitation, air compressors, air conditioning compressors, oil pumps, fuel pumps, charge air compressors, water pumps, hydraulic pumps, vacuum pumps, or other accessories that have operational power requirements in excess of 1 kilowatt. In the case of an air compressor, a piston-type air compressor can be used, a screw type air compressor can be used, or more preferably, a scroll-type air compressor can be used. Such accessories are traditionally powered directly from the internal combustion engine in a conventional vehicle because of their relatively high power requirements.

In an alternative embodiment of the system 400, where the system 400 is incorporated into a parallel hydraulic hybrid vehicle, as depicted in FIG. 9, the motor(s) 410 are part of a parallel hybrid-hydraulic transmission wherein the motor(s) 410 assist the mechanical transmission to propel the vehicle using the drive shaft 120.

While embodiments and implementations of the invention have been shown and described, it should be apparent that many more embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted, except in light of the claims and their equivalents. 

1. A vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft, comprising: a main power unit configured to supply a DC power to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle and located in the engine compartment; an electric propulsion motor to propel the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle using the drive shaft; a DC bus electrically coupled with the main power unit, the DC bus configured to receive the DC power from the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power, the vehicle accessory including at least one of a compressor and a pump; an electric accessory motor, which is separate from the electric propulsion motor, electrically coupled with the DC bus and mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the electric accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the heavy-duty vehicle either inside or outside of the engine compartment; and at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel coupled with the DC bus, the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel configured to store power when the main power unit is on and supply power in place of the main power unit when the main power unit is off or in addition to the main power unit when the main power unit is on.
 2. The vehicle power system of claim 1, wherein the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel is configured to store power from dynamic electromagnetic braking regeneration.
 3. The vehicle power system of claim 1, further comprising electric cooling fans that were traditionally belt driven from the engine drive shaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump, and a DC to DC converter electrically coupled with the DC bus, the DC to DC converter configured to convert the DC power supplied by the main power unit to a DC power for use by the electric cooling fans.
 4. The vehicle power system of claim 1, further comprising electric cooling fans that were traditionally belt driven from the engine drive shaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump, and an inverter electrically coupled with the DC bus, the inverter configured to convert the DC power supplied by the main power unit to an AC voltage for use by the electric cooling fans.
 5. A vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft, comprising: a main power unit configured to supply a DC power of more than 42 volts to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle and located in the engine compartment; an electric propulsion motor to propel the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle using the drive shaft; a DC bus electrically coupled with the main power unit, the DC bus configured to receive the DC power from the main power unit; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power, the vehicle accessory including at least one of a compressor and a pump; an electric accessory motor, which is separate from the electric propulsion motor, electrically coupled with the DC bus and mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the electric accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the vehicle either inside or outside of the engine compartment; a vibration dampening structure that the electric accessory motor and vehicle accessory are mounted to, the vibration dampening structure configured to be mounted to the heavy-duty hybrid vehicle; and at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel coupled with the DC bus, the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel configured to store power when the main power unit is on and supply power in place of the main power unit when the main power unit is off or in addition to the main power unit when the main power unit is on.
 6. The vehicle power system of claim 5, wherein the at least one of an ultracapacitor pack and a fly wheel is configured to store power from dynamic electromagnetic braking regeneration.
 7. The vehicle power system of claim 5, further comprising electric cooling fans that were traditionally belt driven from the engine drive shaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump, and a DC to DC converter electrically coupled with the DC bus, the DC to DC converter configured to convert the DC power supplied by the main power unit to a DC power for use by the electric cooling fans.
 8. The vehicle power system of claim 5, further comprising electric cooling fans that were traditionally belt driven from the engine drive shaft or hydraulically powered from an engine power take off to a hydraulic pump, and an inverter electrically coupled with the DC bus, the inverter configured to convert the DC power supplied by the main power unit to an AC voltage for use by the electric cooling fans.
 9. A vehicle power system for a heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic vehicle including an engine compartment and a drive shaft, comprising: a primary pump configured to pump high-pressure oil; a main power unit configured to power the primary pump and located in the engine compartment; a hydraulic propulsion motor driven by the primary pump to propel the heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic vehicle using the drive shaft; a vehicle accessory traditionally powered directly from an internal combustion engine of a conventional heavy-duty vehicle and requiring more than 1 kilowatt of power; a hydraulic accessory motor, which is separate from the hydraulic propulsion motor, mechanically coupled with the vehicle accessory, the hydraulic accessory motor configured to supply power to the vehicle accessory, and the hydraulic accessory motor and vehicle accessory carried by the heavy-duty hybrid-hydraulic either inside or outside of the engine compartment; and an accumulator configured to receive and store high-pressure oil when the main power unit is on and supply high-pressure oil to the hydraulic accessory motor to drive the hydraulic accessory motor when the main power unit is off.
 10. The vehicle power system of claim 9, wherein the accumulator is configured to receive and store high-pressure oil from braking regeneration. 